NEWS
Belmont residents hardest-hit by Port of Spain floods
Parts of Port of Spain and environs were hit by floodwaters on Sunday after heavy rain. Commuters were left stranded in City Gate as South Quay flooded while one motorist was even seen pushing his car through floodwaters on Independence Square. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) also reported flooding near Riverside Plaza and a fallen tree in Laventille. Read more here
WASA worker buried alive in trench Family queries safety measures, authority promises probe
Tragedy struck in San Fernando yesterday, after a worker from the Water and Sewerage Authority died after being buried alive inside a trench about a mile from his home. Father of two Kern Etienne, 39, of Embacadere, San Fernando, died after a mound of dirt collapsed on top of him as he was standing inside a 12-feet trench near the San Fernando Licensing Authority at Cipero Road, near the Cross Crossing Overpass. Eight of Etienne’s colleagues frantically clawed through the dirt to try and save him, but by the time he was pulled out he was bleeding from his eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Speaking at the family’s home yesterday, his twin brother Kerdelle said Etienne was part of a team that was doing emergency repair works connecting a sewer line from the Licensing Office to a main at Cipero Road, San Fernando. Read more here
POLITICS
SDMS, Lee condemn 'act of desecration' at religious site
The Santan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) and Pointe-a-Pierre MP David Lee condemned what they described as an act of desecration of the Tarouba Rameela celebration grounds. The grounds fall within the Pointe-a-Pierre constituency. A video circulated on social media showed people looking at a burnt effigy of Ravana that was built for Rameela celebrations at the grounds. The incident reportedly happened around 4.20 am on Sunday. In the video, an unnamed man who claimed to be the watchman, said he was being unwatched by unknown people around 8 pm on Saturday. Read more here
BUSINESS
NGC, Methanex launch Sustain-U training platform
The National Gas Company of TT Ltd (NGC) and Methanex have partnered to sponsor Sustain-U, a sustainability and environment, social, and governance (ESG) training platform developed by Caribbean Ideas Academy. In a release, NGC said Sustain-U – which was launched last week Thursday – will assist organisations and their employees build a strong sustainability understanding, learn how to quantify impact and take tangible action. “It is designed to help accelerate the Caribbean region’s pursuit of the UN sustainable development goals with content that addresses learning around these issues that currently act as challenges to regional sustainability. These include increased risk of climate-related disasters – despite our low contribution to greenhouse gas emissions – social issues including crime and poverty, and a pressing need to future proof our institutions to compete more effectively,” the release said. Read more here
Canada announces new trade initiatives for Caribbean
Canada and the Caribbean recorded more than Can$1.8 billion (One Canadian dollar=US$0.73 cents) in merchandise trade last year, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday. Addressing the trade and investment round table discussion on the final day of the Canada-Caricom summit, Trudeau said various trade programmes make this trading relationship possible by providing many Caribbean countries with duty free access for goods. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Outlandish and outrageous’
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has challenged opposition leaders to provide concrete evidence supporting their claims that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is unlawfully registering Venezuelan migrants for the upcoming general and regional elections. Nandlall’s statements come in response to allegations made by the Leader of the Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton, and Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, who have accused the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) of registering Venezuelan refugees as electors. During his programme, ‘Issues in the News,’ Nandlall addressed the allegations made by Norton and Ramjattan, which he described as “vacuous, outlandish, and outrageous.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Argentina presidential election: Javier Milei and Sergio Massa head for run-off vote
Argentina's economy minister Sergio Massa has defied expectations by winning more than 36% of the vote in Sunday's presidential election, putting him on course for a run-off contest with far-right candidate Javier Milei. Mr Massa's lead was a surprise as many had believed voters would punish him for presiding over a financial crisis. Inflation in Argentina is nearing 140%. With almost all ballots counted, no candidate had received the necessary 45% of votes needed to win outright. There will therefore be a second round on 19 November in which voters will have to choose between Mr Massa, from the left-wing Peronist movement, and Mr Milei, a far-right libertarian. Read more here
23rd October 2023